Keeping Families Engaged: Lessons from Home Visitors 

Keeping Families Engaged: Lessons from Home Visitors 

Engaging families in home visiting programs is both an art and a science. While every family’s journey is unique, the workforce behind these programs share a common commitment: building relationships that support families and meet them where they are. We asked home visitors and family support workers from across the state to share their best strategies for keeping families engaged. Their responses highlight the creativity, dedication, and wisdom that make family support programs strong. 

Here are five themes that emerged, along with ideas for how other family support professionals can build on these approaches. 

1. Build Relationships Based on Trust and Respect 

At the heart of family support is relationship-building. Home visitors emphasized the importance of being present, listening with empathy, and honoring families’ experiences. One person described their strategy simply as “Just showing up.” Another shared that they focus on “listening and understanding,” while others emphasized creating “a safe space where families feel supported.” When families feel respected and confident that their voices are valued, they are far more likely to stay engaged.  

2. Meeting Families Where They Are 

Many home visitors talked about “meeting families where they are” – not just physically, but emotionally and developmentally. Some described adjusting visit schedules, others mentioned tailoring conversations to the family’s immediate priorities, and several highlighted the importance of checking in with simple text messages or phone calls. 

By being responsive to families’ real lives, home visitors demonstrate that the program is designed to support them, not add stress. Whether that means rescheduling when life gets overwhelming, bringing concrete supports to the doorstep, or adjusting activities to a family’s interests, this flexibility demonstrates partnership and trust. 

3. Making Engagement Fun and Meaningful 

Families are more likely to stay involved when visits are not only supportive but also enjoyable. Many responses highlighted fun activities like crafts, games, group sessions, or celebrations as ways to keep families engaged. Some home visitors spoke of inviting families to group activities where they can connect with peers, while others described bringing playful learning into visits. 

These strategies remind us that family support is not only about addressing challenges, but also about creating opportunities for joy, connection, and bonding. When children and parents look forward to visits, engagement becomes easier and more sustainable. 

4. Centering Families’ Voices and Needs 

Another powerful theme was the idea of creating support with families, not just for families. Several home visitors said they ask families directly, “What would you like to get out of this program?” Others described checking in regularly to make sure the program is meeting each family’s needs. 

This approach shifts engagement from something staff do to families to something they build with families. It affirms parents as leaders in their own lives and recognizes that every family has wisdom to bring to the table. 

For professionals, the lesson is clear: engagement grows when families feel ownership of the process. Inviting feedback, honoring choices, and adapting to evolving needs make families more invested partners. 

5. Creating Community and Connection 

Finally, home visitors emphasized the role of connection – between families and with the broader community. Support groups, group activities, and opportunities to meet other parents were all cited as ways to strengthen engagement. Families thrive when they see they are not alone, and when they can share experiences, ideas, and encouragement with peers. This means looking beyond individual visits and building systems that foster community. Whether through organized groups or informal introductions, these connections create a safety net that extends beyond the home visitor’s role. 

Taken together, these strategies show that family engagement is about more than attendance. It’s about creating a supportive system where families feel respected, connected, and empowered. And the family support workforce is central to making that possible. 

By listening deeply, being flexible, bringing joy into visits, centering families’ voices, and fostering community, home visitors not only keep families engaged, they help them thrive.